Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41469615›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Breast cancer screening in the Caribbean: a comparative study across six Caribbean Islands with a transatlantic perspective.

K E C Steegmans, Soraya Verstraeten, Jacqueline G Hugtenburg, Vincent Lethongsavarn, Nanine Ponson, Diantha Nuesch, Eva van Tol, Shahaira Libier, Redina Ljumanovic, Sophia George and 7 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

K E C SteegmansDepartment of Global Public Health and Bio-Ethics, Department of Global Public Health & Bioethics, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Soraya VerstraetenFundashon Prevenshon, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Jacqueline G HugtenburgFundashon Prevenshon, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Vincent LethongsavarnDepartment of Pathology, CHU de la Guadeloupe, Regional Coordination Center of Cancer Screening for Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin and Saint- Barthélemy, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France.
Nanine PonsonFundacion ABO, Oranjestad, Aruba.
Diantha NueschFundacion ABO, Oranjestad, Aruba.
Eva van TolCentre for Population Screening, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Shahaira LibierCentre for Population Screening, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Redina LjumanovicFundashon Prevenshon, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Sophia GeorgeSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine OBGYN department, Miami University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
Linda GlaserMinistry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Sanne van KampenMinistry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part).
Cheyenne GumbsMinistry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part).
Shelly AlphonsoPositive Foundation, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part).
Sunita Stürup-ToftGlobal Operations, Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom.
Joyce L BrowneDepartment of Global Public Health and Bio-Ethics, Department of Global Public Health & Bioethics, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Peter C J I SchielenDepartment of Global Public Health and Bio-Ethics, Department of Global Public Health & Bioethics, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. p.c.j.i.schielen@umcutrecht.nl.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBreast cancer (BC) is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally, including within the Caribbean Region. This burden of disease underscores the critical need for effective breast cancer screening (BCS) programs yet implementation of BCS varies greatly among Caribbean countries. This study presents a comparative analysis of the similarities, differences, and opportunities of BCS programmes and their implementation on six Caribbean islands to subsequently use the so-called AAAQ-model to evaluate aspects of the programmes more in-depth.

methodsThis mixed-methods study combined quantitative and qualitative data from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Sint Maarten – Caribbean islands with different languages (Dutch, Papiamentu, French and English), colonial histories, and governing structures (independent states, affiliated territories or special municipalities of continental European countries). Data was gathered from published and grey literature, input from stakeholders and two discussion sessions.

resultsFive of six islands have implemented BCS programs, with clinical breast examinations or mammography. Participation in BCS is free of charge. Start of the programs and age-ranges varied. The target population is reached by invitations by mail and social media. Three islands conduct extensive BCS promoting communication campaigns annually in October. Cultural contextual factors influencing screening uptake and implementation included a limited health-seeking culture, and high turnover of BCS health providers. Lower inclusion of women with limited health literacy, lower education levels, lower socioeconomic status, fear for mammography discomfort or cancer and geographical hurdles were recognized as possibly contributing to lower participation in BCS.

conclusionSimilarities and differences between the BCS programs in the six Caribbean islands were identified, suggesting that exchange of good practices in the Caribbean could play an important role in improving BCS programs. A role of history and (post-)colonial transatlantic relations in shaping contemporary health systems was recognized. Multilateral communication and knowledge transfer between the islands and continental European countries can resolve these differences and stimulate best screening practice.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerAdultCaribbean RegionFemaleHumansMammographyMiddle AgedWest IndiesArubaBonaireBreast cancerCaribbeanCuraçaoGuadeloupeJamaicaScreeningSint Maarten

Identifiers

PMID41469615
PMCPMC12754934

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.